Virginia DMV Permit Practice Test 4: 50 Questions
Practice Test 4 has 50 multiple-choice questions on Virginia driving rules, including Virginia basic speed rule, hill parking uphill with curb, hill parking downhill with curb and deer warning sign. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More Virginia Practice Tests
What Practice Test 4 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Virginia Basic Speed Rule
- Hill Parking Uphill With Curb
- Hill Parking Downhill With Curb
- Deer Warning Sign
- School Bus Divided Highway
- Blind Pedestrian Yield
- Handheld Texting While Driving
- Following Distance Increase
- Medicines Affecting Driving
- Driver Sleepiness
- Driver License Suspension Reasons
- Vehicle Breakdown on Highway
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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The basic speed rule means you must always drive at a speed that is:
Show answer
A. Reasonable and safe for current road, traffic, and weather conditions
You must adjust speed for conditions. The posted limit is never a guarantee that speed is always safe.
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You see a "Hill" warning sign in Virginia. What does the manual tell you to do?
Show answer
C. Check your brakes, because a steep grade is ahead
The Hill sign means a steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes.
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When parking uphill with a curb, you should:
Show answer
C. Turn your front wheels away from the curb and set the parking brake
If the vehicle moves, the front tire will roll back against the curb and help keep it from going into traffic.
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When parking downhill with a curb, your front wheels should be turned:
Show answer
B. Toward the curb, with the parking brake set
If the brakes fail, the tire will roll gently into the curb instead of into the traffic lane.
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For most drivers age 21 and older, driving is illegal at or above a BAC of:
Show answer
C. 0.08% BAC
A BAC of 0.08% or more is considered legally impaired for most adult drivers.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 4, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. The basic speed rule means you must always drive at a speed that is:
Correct answer: Reasonable and safe for current road, traffic, and weather conditions
Why: You must adjust speed for conditions. The posted limit is never a guarantee that speed is always safe.
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Q2. On most two-lane roads, you should stay in the right lane and use the left lane for:
Correct answer: Passing or preparing for a left turn only
Why: Keep right except when passing or turning left so traffic flows smoothly.
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Q3. A broken yellow line next to your lane means you may:
Correct answer: Pass when it is safe and the lane ahead is clear
Why: Broken yellow center lines between opposite directions allow passing when you have enough clear space.
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Q4. A solid double yellow line in the center of the road means:
Correct answer: No passing from either direction
Why: Double solid yellow lines mark a no-passing zone for both directions of traffic.
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Q5. A solid white line between lanes of traffic usually means:
Correct answer: Lane changes are discouraged and should be made only when necessary
Why: Solid white lines separate lanes going the same way and warn you not to weave in and out.
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Q6. On a multilane road, the best way to create a safe space cushion around your car is to:
Correct answer: Adjust your speed so you are not driving right next to other vehicles
Why: Leaving space on all sides gives you room to move away from danger if something happens.
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Q7. To maintain a safe following distance under normal conditions, you should use:
Correct answer: The three-second rule or more
Why: Counting at least three seconds between you and the car ahead helps avoid rear-end collisions.
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Q8. You should increase your following distance to more than three seconds when:
Correct answer: Roads are wet, visibility is poor, or you are following a large vehicle
Why: Bad weather, heavy traffic, and large vehicles call for extra space so you can stop in time.
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Q9. When you are being tailgated by another driver, the safest thing to do is to:
Correct answer: Slow down slightly and, when possible, move over to let them pass
Why: Making it easier for the tailgater to pass reduces the risk of a rear-end crash.
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Q10. A yellow sign with a black arrow that curves to the right warns you that:
Correct answer: The road ahead curves to the right
Why: Curve signs warn you to slow down and follow the bend in the road.
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Q11. You are leaving a Virginia highway and see a yellow Advisory Speed sign at the exit. What does it show?
Correct answer: The maximum safe speed for the exit
Why: An Advisory Speed sign shows the maximum safe speed for a highway exit.
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Q12. You are approaching a school zone with a reduced speed limit sign. You should:
Correct answer: Slow to the posted school speed limit when children are present or as indicated
Why: School zones require lower speeds so you have more time to react to children crossing.
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Q13. When you see a pedestrian in a crosswalk with a WALK signal, you must:
Correct answer: Yield and let the person finish crossing before you enter the crosswalk
Why: People in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right-of-way when they are crossing legally.
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Q14. A blind pedestrian with a white cane or guide dog is waiting to cross the street. You should:
Correct answer: Stop and allow the pedestrian to cross safely
Why: Drivers must give extra time and space to pedestrians who are visually impaired.
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Q15. At a four-way stop, the right-of-way goes to:
Correct answer: The first vehicle to stop, or if two arrive together, the driver on the right
Why: After stopping, vehicles proceed in the order they arrived; if they arrive together, the driver on the right goes first.
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Q16. On a two-lane road, you see a school bus stopped with flashing red lights. You must:
Correct answer: Stop in both directions until the lights stop and the bus moves again
Why: On most undivided roads, traffic in both directions must stop for a bus with flashing red lights.
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Q17. You are not required to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights only when:
Correct answer: You are on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median or barrier
Why: A physical median or barrier separates traffic enough that vehicles on the opposite side do not have to stop.
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Q18. Move over laws require you to do what when you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder?
Correct answer: Move over one lane if possible or slow down to a safe speed
Why: Moving over or slowing protects officers, workers, and others on the roadside.
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Q19. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane on a wet road, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer straight ahead
Why: Sudden braking or steering can cause a skid. Gently reducing speed helps your tires regain contact.
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Q20. On rainy days, roads are usually most slippery:
Correct answer: During the first few minutes of rain
Why: Water mixes with oil and dirt at the start of a rain, creating a very slick surface.
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Q21. When driving in fog, you should always:
Correct answer: Use low-beam headlights and reduce your speed
Why: Low beams cut through fog better. High beams reflect back and can make it harder to see.
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Q22. You should switch from high beams to low beams for an oncoming vehicle when it is about:
Correct answer: 500 feet away
Why: Dim your high beams early so you do not blind drivers coming toward you.
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Q23. When following another vehicle at night, you should use low beams instead of high beams when you are within about:
Correct answer: 200 feet of the vehicle ahead
Why: Virginia’s driver manual says to use low beams whenever you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead, and to dim for oncoming vehicles within 500 feet.
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Q24. You see a "Hill" warning sign in Virginia. What does the manual tell you to do?
Correct answer: Check your brakes, because a steep grade is ahead
Why: The Hill sign means a steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes.
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Q25. Your right wheels run off the pavement onto the shoulder. You should:
Correct answer: Grip the wheel, ease off the gas, and steer back onto the road when the lane is clear
Why: Overcorrecting can cause a skid or rollover. Re-enter the lane gradually at a safe speed.
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Q26. If your vehicle starts to skid, the safest way to regain control is to:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
Why: Look where you want to go and steer smoothly. Sudden moves can make the skid worse.
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Q27. Using a handheld phone to read or send text messages while driving is:
Correct answer: Illegal in many situations and extremely dangerous
Why: Texting takes your eyes, hands, and mind away from driving, greatly increasing crash risk.
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Q28. If another driver is acting aggressively toward you, the safest response is to:
Correct answer: Avoid eye contact, do not respond, and if needed go to a safe, public place
Why: Do not engage with aggressive drivers. Staying calm and getting to a safe place lowers the chance of trouble.
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Q29. For most drivers age 21 and older, driving is illegal at or above a BAC of:
Correct answer: 0.08% BAC
Why: A BAC of 0.08% or more is considered legally impaired for most adult drivers.
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Q30. For drivers under 21, any measurable alcohol in the system:
Correct answer: Can lead to license suspension and other penalties
Why: Zero-tolerance laws mean underage drivers can face penalties for any alcohol in their system.
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Q31. Seat belt laws generally require:
Correct answer: The driver and required passengers to be properly buckled
Why: The driver is responsible for making sure required occupants are properly restrained.
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Q32. The safest place to install a rear-facing child safety seat is:
Correct answer: In the back seat, away from active airbags
Why: Children are safest in the rear seat and should never face an active front airbag.
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Q33. On most roads, you should signal your turn or lane change at least:
Correct answer: About 100 feet before you move, when possible
Why: Signaling early gives other road users time to see what you plan to do and react.
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Q34. If your turn signals fail, you must:
Correct answer: Use the proper hand and arm signals to indicate turns and stops
Why: Hand signals are still legal and required when your electric signals are not working.
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Q35. When entering a freeway from an on-ramp, you should use the acceleration lane to:
Correct answer: Match the speed of freeway traffic before merging
Why: Build up your speed in the acceleration lane so you can merge smoothly into traffic.
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Q36. If you miss your exit on a freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit and turn around safely
Why: Stopping, backing up, or crossing the median on a freeway is very dangerous and illegal.
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Q37. When parking uphill with a curb, you should:
Correct answer: Turn your front wheels away from the curb and set the parking brake
Why: If the vehicle moves, the front tire will roll back against the curb and help keep it from going into traffic.
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Q38. When parking downhill with a curb, your front wheels should be turned:
Correct answer: Toward the curb, with the parking brake set
Why: If the brakes fail, the tire will roll gently into the curb instead of into the traffic lane.
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Q39. You must not park:
Correct answer: On a sidewalk, in a crosswalk, or blocking a driveway
Why: Blocking sidewalks, crosswalks, or driveways is unsafe and against the rules.
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Q40. A yellow warning sign with a picture of a deer means you should:
Correct answer: Be prepared for animals that may cross the road in that area
Why: Slow down and watch for animals that may suddenly enter the road.
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Q41. When you see a railroad crossing sign and markings, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop
Why: At passive crossings, you must always check carefully before crossing the tracks.
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Q42. At a railroad crossing with gates down and red lights flashing, you may proceed:
Correct answer: Only after the gates are fully raised, the lights stop, and you are sure no train is coming
Why: Never go around lowered gates. Wait until signals show it is safe and double-check the tracks.
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Q43. When driving through a work zone, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down, obey all signs and flaggers, and be prepared for sudden stops
Why: Reduced speeds and special directions in work zones protect both drivers and workers.
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Q44. Driving while very tired is dangerous because:
Correct answer: Fatigue slows your reaction time and can cause you to fall asleep briefly
Why: Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol.
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Q45. If your vehicle breaks down on a highway and you must stop, you should:
Correct answer: Move off the roadway if possible, turn on hazard lights, and stay away from traffic
Why: Getting as far from moving traffic as you can and using hazard lights helps others see and avoid you.
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Q46. Before backing out of a parking space, you should:
Correct answer: Check behind and around your vehicle and back up slowly
Why: Turn and look over your shoulder while backing slowly so you can see pedestrians and other vehicles.
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Q47. If you realize you are in the wrong lane for a turn as you reach an intersection, you should:
Correct answer: Go straight and find a safe place to turn around later
Why: Last-second turns from the wrong lane can surprise others and cause crashes.
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Q48. A red and white DO NOT ENTER sign means you:
Correct answer: Are going the wrong way and must not continue down that road
Why: DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs warn that traffic on that road is moving toward you.
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Q49. A lane marked with a straight arrow and a right-turn arrow means you may:
Correct answer: Go straight ahead or turn right from that lane
Why: Lane-use arrows painted on the pavement show which movements are allowed from each lane.
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Q50. Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect your driving by:
Correct answer: Making you drowsy, dizzy, or less alert
Why: Many medicines can slow your reactions or make you sleepy, so always read labels and follow warnings.